So.... you just jumped in here the read the "blues news" but I am mixing it up saying "New Blues." What the heck does THAT mean? Well, as Ozark Blues Society Strives to "Keep the Blues Alive" we most certainly want to support and admire the blues greats of the past as well as the shrinking number of older masters we still have among us today. However, for the blues to stay alive we need an infusion of young talented musicians who L-O-V-E and live the blues. This weekend at the Meteor Guitar Gallery in Bentonville you will find an event that brings in just such a touch. Read on below for information about the amazing artists who will be performing as well as ticket options.

Last week I shared about decisions made at the board level relating to Newsletter content. One additional part of that topic I did not cover is our ongoing desire to engage our readers, musicians and fans by inviting submissions for publication. Do you have a band or album you would like to review? What about a local, regional, or national event you attended? Or, maybe you have a piece of blues history you would like to share. Our readers would love to hear about it! Please consider how you might contribute. For more information about how to get involved, email SANDY

Some things just come together to become a don't miss event. This weekend YOU have the opportunity to be a part of such an event. Interested? Read on....

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METEOR GUITAR GALLERY HOSTS BENTONVILLE BLUES WEEKEND

The blues arrives in Bentonville this weekend with a two-night showcase highlighting local, Texas, and Mississippi Delta blues talent at the newly renovated Meteor Guitar Gallery. Tonight, May 11, opener Tony Redman, a fixture on the Austin, Texas blues scene and winner in the solo/duo category of the 2017 Ozark Blues Society's Blues Challenge, will deliver deep roots blues from his own hand-made steel body guitars.

Later, Bentonville’s own Downtown Livewires, band category winners of the 2017 Ozark Blues Society's Challenge, promise to set the weekend off with a high-energy show featuring fiery originals and well-chosen covers.

Tickets for this show are just $10 online or $15 at the door.

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The music continues Saturday night with a very special appearance by Clarksdale, Mississippi’s newest blues sensation, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. Ingram cut his teeth as a young teenager backing Bill “Howl-N-Madd” Perry at the venerable Ground Zero club in Clarksdale, and is widely regarded as a premier voice in the next generation of blues artists. Ingram has been prominently featured in Living Blues magazine and just last year, played the Chicago Blues Festival, headlined the North City Jazz and Blues Festival in Kosovo, and opened shows for the legendary Buddy Guy. VIP tickets for this show allow for early entry, a meet and greet with the artist, and first choice of floor or balcony seating.

Tickets for Saturday start at $30, with doors opening at 6:30 and show at 7:30.

These shows at the Meteor Guitar Gallery promise a nice warmup for next month’s Eureka Springs Blues Festival and are certain to ignite the region’s budding music scene. More information and tickets available at: http://www.meteorguitargallery.com

2017 Blues Winners

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC)

April 20, 2018 -- The International Songwriting Competition (ISC), widely recognized as the most prestigious and respected songwriting competition in the world, is pleased to announce its 2017 winners. Created in 2002, ISC received more than 16,000 entries from almost 140 countries. Total prizes include more than $175,000 in cash and merchandise, including a Grand Prize consisting of $25,000 in cash (USD) and over $35,000 in additional prizes.

The Grand Prize winners this year are Nicholas Miller (better known as Illenium), Annika Wells, Kate Morgan, and Michael Biancaniello for the EDM song “Crawl Outta Love Ft. Annika Wells."

Taking home First Place in the Blues category are Thornetta Davis, Brett Lucas, and Phillip Hale (Detroit, MI, USA) for the song “I Believe (Everything Gonna Be Alright).” Second Place is awarded to Jeff Schroedl and Jeff Taylor of The Altered Five Blues Band (Waukesha, WI, USA) for “Cookin’ In Your Kitchen,” and Third Place goes to Jimmy Zee (The Jimmy Zee Band) (Vancouver, BC, Canada) for “Backroads.”

“All of the winners are so accomplished, and we are proud to honor them and celebrate the traditions of the Blues genre,” says ISC Founder and Director, Candace Avery. “These artists will will inspire younger artists and are destined to become a part of the legacy of Blues music.”

ISC winners hail from all over the world (61% of this year’s winners come from outside the USA) and range from talented amateurs to seasoned songwriting veterans. The 23 categories include all genres of contemporary music, from EDM to rock to pop to jazz to R&B/Hip-Hop and more.

Rockin' Hog Radio presents "Sunday Morning Blues" from 8am to 10am every SundayLINK

Get Involved with the Ozark Blues Society

Annual membership levels begin at $15 and give you so much in return, including meeting new friends while enjoying the best blues artists in the area. By being a member of The Ozark Blues Society of Northwest Arkansas, you are helping to support the Arts and to preserve the Original American Art Form known as The Blues.

Membership Benefits Include:

Weekly E-newsletter

Opportunities to win tickets to events

VIP seating at events (when available)

Discounts on OBS merchandise

Social networking – meeting other people who also love the blues

Opportunities to volunteer on OBS committees and at events

Ability to attend board meetings and vote on upcoming organizational issues and elections